Sean Patrick O’Brien,
U.S. Navy vet
WINDHAM, Maine — Sean Patrick O’Brien, 43, of Thrush Terrace, formerly of Pomfret, died May 25, 2018, unexpectedly at his work. Born in 1975 in Providence, he was the son of Patrick and Colleen (Ventetuolo) O’Brien.
Sean was a graduate of Woodstock Academy and was a veteran of the United States Navy. He obtained his CDL license and was a truck driver for Dayton Sand and Gravel. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, riding four wheelers, motorcycles and dirt bikes. He enjoyed fitness and working out at the gym. Sean was a “confirmed bachelor” who was very proud of his family, always “family first.” He treated his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children.
In addition to his parents, he leaves his brothers, David “OB” O’Brien (Wendy) of Eastford, Jeremiah O’Brien (Sarah) of Sanford, Maine, and Aaron Sposato (Emily) of Sanford; his sister, Colleen Middleton (Benjamin) of Norton, Mass.; 11 nieces and nephews; and his loyal K9 companion Rufus.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 5 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in Abington Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Peter A. Phaneuf,
Vietnam war vet
DAYVILLE — Peter A. Phaneuf, 78, of Dog Hill Lane, died May 31, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1940 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Edgar and Alexine (Rothwell) Phaneuf.
Mr. Phaneuf was a proud veteran of the Vietnam war serving with the U.S. Marines. Peter worked for many years in the construction field as a laborer. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2650 in Danielson and was an avid collector of HO model trains.
He leaves three sons, Dennis Phaneuf of California, Peter A. Phaneuf II of Framingham, Mass., and Rob Phaneuf of Ledyard; a daughter, Holly Grube (Kenneth) of Eastford; a sister, Barbara Gardner of Woodstock; seven grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Joseph E. Phaneuf II and a sister Joan Almquist.
Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. June 8 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Peter P. Szruba Sr.,
Korean war vet
DANIELSON — Peter P. Szruba Sr., 92, James St. East, died May 29, 2018, at Davis Place. He was the husband of the late Mary (Gilbert) Szruba. Born in 1925 in Jewett City, he was the son of the late Joseph and Bertha (Wawzyn) Szruba.
Peter served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He was employed as a textile colorist for Prevel Corporation in Plainfield.
Peter was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed rooting for the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots and he also enjoyed working in his garden, fixing things around the house, cooking, fishing, and playing penny poker on Saturday nights with his family and friends.
He leaves by his son, Peter Szruba Jr. of Putnam; daughter Jenny Szruba, and son-in-law Albert Briere of Putnam; grandsons, Shane and Jesse Davis; granddaughters Kristen Ramdohr, Faith Briere and Aubrey-Lynn (Briere) Girdwood; great-grandsons Landon, Kaidon, Arty and Jameson. Peter was predeceased by his daughter Linda (Szruba) Briere, and his siblings Helen, John, Joseph, Frank, Stanley, Betty, Dorothy and Joanne.
A Celebration of Life and Graveside Service will be held at a later date. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam, CT 06260.
John Denis Relahan,
Korean war vet
WOODSTOCK — John “Jack” Relahan, 87, died May 27, 2018, at home.
He was born on May 20, 1931, in Portland, Maine, the son of John and Eva Relahan. He grew up in Calais, Maine. A Korean war veteran, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 after high school and was stationed on the USS Mississippi, based in Norfolk, Va. He completed his service to the Navy in Cove Springs, Fla., on shore duty.
Using his G.I benefits, Jack went to school in Boston and was a graduate of the Massachusetts Electronic School. One of his early jobs was as a quality control manager GTI Corporation in Providence which manufactured parts for rockets in the early stages of space exploration. He took great pride in being part of such highly experimental and ground-breaking manufacturing. Most recently, he worked in Quality Control for Danco and Moldex before retiring in the early 1990s.
He was a ham radio operator and avid electronics and computer buff for most of his life. He always had the most up-to-date electronics of any house on the block, and loved to rebuild computers. He loved to read mysteries and anything about the Civil War. His love of quizzing his daughters on state capitals was a tradition that he continued with his grandchildren.
A lover of animals, he was highly allergic to most until the day that his cat Harriet walked into his house and adopted him and his wife, Jill. Harriet was an adoring companion, who was known to lie over his computer keypad at night when she was ready for him to retire for the evening, and would sleep on his pillow each night.
He leaves his wife of 43 years Jill; three daughters, Torrey Santerre, Taryn Tomkins, and Sara Relahan, each of Putnam; grandchildren, Dylan, Maxwell, Noah, Jaden, Adam, and Jack; and one great grandchild Kenadee.
The graveside service with full military honors will be at 10 a.m. June 9 in Barlow Cemetery, Barlow Cemetery Road, Woodstock. Donations: NECCOG Animal Services, PO Box 759, Dayville, CT 06241. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Fred D. Carlage,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Fred D. Carlage, 101, died June, 1, 2018. He was the husband of the late Esther (Conley) Carlage. Born Nov. 19, 1916, in Union, he was the son of the late John and Sophie (Smolen) Carlage. Fred graduated from Putnam High School and attended Rhode Island College and the OSHA Institute in Chicago.
Fred served 4 ½ years in WWII initially, with the Army 191st tank battalion and later was transferred to the Air Force and attended numerous training schools throughout the country. Based in Australia with the 5th Air Force 380th bomb group Fred served as a flight navigator upon receiving dual commissions as a navigator and bombardier. Fred flew 47 combat missions and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Following his service he settled in Woodstock and was active in several bands primarily with the Four Aces as a saxophone and clarinet player. Fred was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, enjoyed hunting and fishing in his youth.
He leaves his son Bruce Carlage (Michele); daughter Sharon Wojcik and companion Michael Staples; son Dean Carlage (Debra); six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Frank, Marie Bednarz and Elsie Ruda.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. June 6 at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery with military honors.
Sr. A. Lambert, DHS
PUTNAM — Sr. Anita Lambert, 84, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died June 3, 2018, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she had been in residence since August 2016.
Born Marie Antoinette Cécile Anita Lambert on Nov. 21, 1933, in Granite-Ville, Vt., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Marie Isabelle Lambert. She entered religious life in Putnam in 1950 and made her religious profession on Aug. 18, 1953, at the Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Rose Albert de Marie.
She received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1954 from the Diocesan Sisters’ College, Putnam Branch, in Putnam and then went on to obtain an master’s in education in 1960 from Boston College.
Primarily a teacher for most of her religious life, she was assigned to Assumption School in Chicopee, Mass., from 1954-1960 and at St. Mary School in Putnam from 1960-1963. In 1963, she was assigned to West Sacramento, Calif., at Our Lady of Grace School. In 1965 she transferred to Fairfax, Calif., and taught at St. Rita School there until 1969. She returned to the East Coast in 1969 and taught at Notre Dame School in Pittsfield, Mass. In 1971 she was assigned to St. John School in Plainfield. In 1980 she taught at Holy Ghost Academy in Tupper Lake, N.Y., until 1988 when she did parish work there for a year. In 1989, she was assigned to the Provincial House in Putnam where she served as assistant to the Provincial treasurer until 1994, at which time she became a receptionist at the Provincial House until 1997. In July of 1997, she went to Orlando, Fla, where she took over the care of her mother. In 2000, she served as a driver for medical appointments at the Provincial House. In 2010, following some health issues, she retired to the Provincial House and with the close of the Health Care Center there, she moved to St. Joseph Living Center in August 2016.
She leaves her spiritual family; her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates; as well as a brother, Maurice of Winter Haven, Fla., and Colchester, Vt.; and two sisters, Irene A. Nay of Orlando, Fla, and Pauline Guilfoyle of Christmas, Fla.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. June 6 at the Provincial House Chapel on Church Street, with a Prayer Service at 7:15 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. June 7 at the Provincial House Chapel with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Lorna M. Leeman
POMFRET CENTER — Lorna M. Leeman, 74, of Pomfret Center, died unexpectedly May 25, 2018, at her home in Pomfret. Wife of Robert W. Leeman, they were married Nov. 28, 1963, in St. Mary’s Church in Putnam. She was born July 15, 1943, in Southbridge, daughter of the late Emo and Marion (Chapdelaine) Bartolomei.
She was a 1961 graduate of Putnam High School. She worked as a switchboard operator and admitting clerk for Day Kimball Hospital for 38 years. Lorna and her husband spent the ‘90s traveling various places in Europe and in the U.S. Her favorite past time was crossword puzzles. Lorna enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and was a skilled expert in crosstitching, knitting and crocheting.
She leaves her husband Robert W. Leeman of Pomfret Center; sons Darin E. Leeman of Windham, N.H., Kyle R. Leeman (Kristen) of Escondido, Calif., formerly of Oakdale; grandsons Tyler R. Leeman and Connor K. Leeman.
The Funeral was private. Donations: Lymphoma Research Foundation, Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine St., Suite 240, New York, NY 10005. www.lymphoma.org. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Philip G. Peterson
WOODSTOCK — Philip G. Peterson, 59, of Rt. 197, died May 28, 2018, unexpectedly at Day Kimball Hospital.
Born June 28, 1958, in Putnam, he was the son of Glenn Peterson of Putnam and Johanne (Gagnon) Peterson of Thompson.
He was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and went on to graduate from Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School. He was a man that held his friendships deep and close to his heart. He never made an acquaintance, but rather made life long friends that he did everything with. His hobbies included deep sea fishing, clamming, scuba diving, snowmobiling and camping. With each one of these activities, it molded him into the person he was.
He was affectionately known as “Uncle Peaches,” Captain,” “Bud,” “Pops,” “Big Phil,” and “Naomi’s Best Friend.”
He was a toolmaker for more than 40 years and recently took up teaching at QVCC.
He loved sharing his trade with his students. Sharing his knowledge in tool making or any other hobby he enjoyed fulfilled him.
He will be remembered as the rough, tough, giant Phil. But for those that knew his soft, loving, caring and compassionate side knew he had a heart of gold.
He learned the art of storytelling from his “Pepe” the late Leo Gagnon.
He leaves his wife of 36 years, Naomi Peterson of Woodstock; and his daughter, Candice Zamagni (Matthew) of Woodstock; his sister, Kathy Langer (David) and their daughter, Emily Langer, all of Thompson; his niece Chrysty Bolte of Kingston, N.H.; nieces and nephews, Timothy Bates, Kelly Bates, Tammy Peterlin, Mike Bates, David Birch, Jennifer Skeens and Stephanie Neal. He was predeceased by his son, Joshua S. Peterson in 2007.
He is saddened to know he will never make it to Alaska to visit the Great Bearing Sea.
Visitation was June 2 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Stephen Beausoleil
POMFRET CENTER — Stephen I. Beausoleil, 62, died May 28, 2018.
He was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, son of the late Henry R. Beausoleil and Patricia A. (Tingley) Beausoleil and lived in Pomfret for the past 15 years. Prior to that he lived in Danielson.
Stephen enjoyed fishing and hunting.
He leaves his brother Victor Beausoleil of Pomfret Center; a son Jacob Ross of Wisconsin; a daughter Becca Ross of Wisconsin.
Arrangements were private. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Leonard Stanley
THOMPSON — Leonard Stanley, 75, died May 28, 2018 .He was predeceased by his wife of 48 year’s Dianne P.( Lewis) Stanley in 2010.
Leonard was born in Worcester, the son of the late William and the late Jenny B (Hicks) Stanley.
He loved working with his family in the paving business he started as a young man working after school.
He established and was the owner- operator of Reliable Paving for more than 50 years.
He leaves one daughter: Tina Stanley Lefebvre of Dayville; three sons: Mark Stanley of Thompson, Wayne Stanley of Ellington, and Leonard D. Stanley of Walpole, Mass.; an honorary son Kevin P. O’Brien; two sisters: Marjorie Maple of Webster and Barbara Stanley of Dudley; one brother: Ronald Stanley of Webster; six grandchildren Rebecca, Danielle, Brandon, Hunter, Madalyn and Colton.
The funeral was June 1 at Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley, with burial in Munyan Cemetery, E. Putnam.
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